Coin-controlled mileage metering device



Dec. 15, 1953 R CAPPELLE 2,662,627

COIN-CONTROLLED MILEAGE METERING DEVICE Filed March 18, 1950 5Sheets-Sheet l fzzvenor:

Dec. 15, 1953 CAPPELLE 2,662,627

COIN-CONTROLLED MILEAGE METERING DEVICE riled March 18, 1950 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 15, 1953 E. R. CAPPELLE 2,662,627

COIN-CONTROLLED MILEAGE METERING DEVICE Filed March 18, 1950 3Sheets-Sheet 3 1-525 I" I I fi 1 1/17] 167; a 157 158 12a J3 131 68 J29122 L156 23 a 121 fade/@1 07 5 I Zhzz'lffi C eZZe i 5 9 1 K M /56Patented Dec. 15, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COIN-CONTROLLEDMILEAGE METERING DEVICE 9 Claims.

My invention relates to a coin controlled mileage metering device, andmore particularly to such a device for use in connection with anautomobile.

It is generally known that a large portion 01' purchasers of automobilesusually purchase on the installment plan and usually experiencefinancial inconvenience in meeting the installment payments when theybecome due. The necessity for meeting obligations of this type atmonthly intervals creates hardships on the part of the purchasers since,in many cases, the purchasers of automobiles on the installment planlive on a hand to mouth basis. Accordingly, it is an object of myinvention to provide means carried within an automotive vehicle wherebya driver purchaser, in order to drive the car, is required at certainintervals to insert coins of certain monetary values so as to conditionthe apparatus so that the vehicle may be driven for a predeterminednumber of miles, and after that point has been reached, a signal isactuated which notifies the driver that the allowed mileage covered bypreviously inserted coins has been exhausted and that in order tocontinue operating the vehicle, additional coins should be inserted, theinsertion of one or more coins conditioning the apparatus to shut offthe actuation of the si nal. Thus, the driver is involuntarily caused tocontribute daily toward the monthly payment, and when the same becomesdue there is no hardship in meeting it. It is contemplated that theapparatus will be installed by a seller of an automobile and, when eachinstallment payment becomes due, the purchaser will permit the seller toremove the money contained within the apparatus and to apply the same tothe account of the purchaser. Any deficiency in the amount required tosatisfy the payment is of course made up by the purchaser of thevehicle. The coins contained within the apparatus are not accessible tothe purchaser of the car and may be removed only upon the use of asuitable key retained by the seller.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a device of theforegoing character which is simple in construction, compact inorganization and highly efiicient for the purposes intended.

Other and further objects and advantages of my invention will becomeapparent from the fol lowing description when considered in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view through the forward portion of anautomotive vehicle showing my apparatus installed under the dashboardand 2 operatively connected to the driving shaft of the speedometer.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, takensubstantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View taken substantially on line 3--3 ofFig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig.3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sew tional View takensubstantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on line B--6 ofFig. 5, and

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing the general organization of theapparatus.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral It indicates a housing which maybe secured under the dashboard H of an automotive vehicle, as by abracket l2. Suitably connected into the housing it is a flexible shaft53' connecting into an adapter l4 interposed between the speedometershaft 16 and the speedometer [5. The adapter may include a Worm gearhaving a 20 to 1 ratio, so that for every twenty revolutions of thespeedometer cable It, the cable within the shaft I3 is caused to rotateone revolution. The cable of the flexible shaft I3 extends into thehousing It and is operatively connected with a pinion I! which mesheswith a spur gear I6 fixed on a shaft I9. Fixed on the shaft I 9 is apinion 2! which is adapted to mesh with spur gear 22 fixed on shaft 23.Fixed on the said shaft is a pinion 2% which is adapted to mesh withspur gear 2% which is fixed on shaft 21. The said shaft carries a pinion28 which is adapted to mesh with spur gear 29 fixed on shaft 3|, whichalso carries a pinion 32 adapted to mesh with spur gear 33 carried onshaft 34. It will be noted that the ratios between the respectivepinions and the cooperating spur gears are in each case 1 to 20 so thatthrough the train of gears herein described, including the worm gearadapter I4, a ratio of 1,000,000 to 1 is effected.

Carried on the shaft 34 for rotation therewith is an armature 35 of amagnetic clutch, indicated generally at 31. The armature 38 ispreferably circular in form and is comprised of a highly permeable irondisc having low residual magnetism. The electro-magnet 39 of the clutch3? is fixed on shaft 38 which is coaxially disposed relative to shaft34. Mounted on shaft 38 for rotation therewith is a control member 4!,hereinafter to be described. Also fixed on the said shaft is a gear 42which is in operative engagement with a pin ion 43 mounted on shaft 44.Mounted on the opposite end of the said shaft is a gear 6 which isadapted to mesh with pinion s1 mounted on shaft :38 which has at itsopposite end a gear 43 adapted to mesh with a pinion SI mounted on shaft52. A miter gear 33. is mounted on shaft 52 and is adapted to engagewith a complementary miter gear 54 suitably mounted on the driving shaftof a registering counter, indicated generally at 55. The gears 49 and5E, as will be seen in Fig. 2, are mounted on the ends of shafts 8 and52 and are retained thereon by suitable nuts, such as 5?. The said gearsare arranged to be removable so that changes in the gear ratios may beeffected by positioning on the respective shafts various combinations ofgears. Thus, through the use of a particular combination of gears, adesired rotational relationship between the control member s! and thedriving shaft of the counter 53 may be obtained.

The control member 4! comprises a disc 59 secured to a hub plate 6ifixed on the shaft 38. The said disc is provided with a plurality ofequally spaced arcuate slots 62 through which are passed bolts 63 forefiecting securement of the disc 39 to the hub 6|. It will be apparentthat the slots 62 permit relative movement be tween the disc member 59and hub 6i so that accurate adjustment of the disc 59 relative to otherparts may be effected.

A member, generally indicated at 54, is shaped substantially like aninverted T and is pivotally secured to the disc member 59 by a pin 56carried thereon. The member 615 carries a pin 6? which projects at rightangles to the plane thereof and extends through an opening 68 in thedisc 59. As will be clearly seen by reference to Figs. 5 and 6, theopening 98 is substantially larger than the pin 6'! so that the member64 may be pivotally moved about the pin 69.

The peripheral edge of the disc 59 is notched, as at 69, to accommodatea pin II carried on the member 64. The pin is adapted to slide withinthe notch 69 which serves to limit the pivotal movement of the member64. The vertically disposed leg of the member 64 is provided at the topwith a flange I2 which projects through an opening I3 in the disc 59.The flange I2 is provided with a perforation to engage one end of a coilspring I4, the other end of which is anchored on a pin it mounted on theface of the disc 59. The spring l4 acts to draw the member 64 in acounterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5, so that the pin II isabutted against the end of the notch 59. Suitably supported in wall I!as by a sleeve Ha. is a stub shaft I3, on one end of which is formed amember I9 which is circular in form, but is provided with a cutout 8|Fixed on the other end of the shaft I8 is a member 92 which is shapedsubstantially as shown in Fig. 5 and is provided with a depending arm 83and an arcuate portion having two spaced notches 84 and 35 respectively.A detent 86 is mounted on the wall H and is provided with a springbiased ball 9! which is adapted to cooperate with either of the notches94 or 35 to lock the member 32 in one of two positions of operation.Carried on the lower portion of the depending arm 83 is a threadedmember which may be in the form of a bolt 89 which is adapted to engagethe actuating arm BI of a micro-switch 92.

Fixed on shaft 44 for rotation therewith is a ratchet wheel 93 which isactuated by an armature B associated with the relay 95, the combinationforming a stepping relay. The armature M is adapted to engage one bladeof a switch stack 96 which includes a pair of spaced contact points 91and 98. A buzzer I02 is connected in the circuit, as will be hereinafterexplained.

The coin receiving mechanism will now be described. Mounted on thehousing II], on opposite sides of a slot I93 in a wall thereof, are apair of complementary members I94 and I96, each of which includes aslidable plate I02 provided with a pair of spaced elongated slots I63 inwhich are accommodated pins I09 which serve to limit the movement of theslides IN. A compression spring H9 retained by a cylindrical member IIIintegral with a cap II2 serves to urge the members IIJI toward eachother, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The cap [I2 is suitably secured to themembers I04 and I06 as by screws. The members I91 serve as a platformfor supporting a coin when the same is positioned thereon preparatory toinsertion into the apparatus through the slot I03.

Disposed interiorly of the housing ID are a pair of opposed pivotallymounted arms I I3, pivoted as at H4, and each having at its free end aroller H6. The arms II3 have pins II'I projecting therethrough foranchoring springs H3, at each end thereof, the said springs serving tourge the arms I I3 inwardly in a direction toward each other, the inwardmovement of the arms being limited by stops I I9. As will be seen moreclearly by reference to Fig. 3, two springs II3 are provided, one aboveand one below the arms II3. Aligned with the slot I93 is a chute I2Iformed of upper and lower plate members I22 and I23. The said memberseach are provided with cutouts, the upper member I22 having an openingI26 through which projects a finger I21 integral with a blade I28carrying a contact point I29. A cooperating contact I3I is carried onblade I32 and both blades I28 and I32 are mounted in a suitableinsulated support I33 to form a stack switch. The lower member I23 isprovided with an opening I34 which is of sufficient width to permit acoin to pass therethrough, as for example a quarter.

As will be seen clearly in Fig. 3, the finger I21 is disposed in thepath of the chute I2I so that any coins passing therethrough, in amanner as will be hereinafter explained, will cause the blade I28 to bedeflected upwardly so that contacts I29 and I3I are engaged to completean electrical circuit. The resilience of the blade I28 deflects the coinI35 downwardly where it falls into a suitable receptacle I36. A secondopening I31 is provided at the rearward portion of the member I23, thesaid opening being larger than the opening I 34 so as to accommodate acoin of larger denomination, as for example a half dollar.

Arranged beneath the opening I3! is a stack switch formed of aninsulating support I38 which carries a pair of blades I39 and MI in adownwardly inclined position, preferably about 45 with the member I23.The blades I39 and I4! carry contact points I42 and I43, respectively. Aguide plate I44 depends from the chute I2I in an inclined position and,as will be seen in Fig. 3, is provided with an opening or slot I 46through which the blade I M projects. The guide plate I44 connects witha depending plate M! which is disposed at an acute angle with respect tothe guide plate I44 and is provided with a slot I48 through which a coinmay pass. A swinging gate I49 depends from the member I23 and serves todeflect any coin, such as I35, from impinging on the blade I39, therebyto cause inadvertent engagement of the contacts I42 and I43.

The operation of my device will now be. do scribed, and in order to.facilitate understanding of the same reference will be had in particularto- Fig. 7 which shows diagrammatically the structural elements of myinvention, their relation to each other and the electrical. circuitsconnecting the various electrical components of my invention.

It is known that the speedometers of conventional automotive vehiclesare so arranged that for every mile travelled by a vehicle, thespeedometer drive shaft will rotate 1,000 revolutions. Thus. with thegear ratio of 1,000,000 to 1 the control member M will be caused tocomplete one complete revolution for every 1,000 miles of vehicletravel, and as viewed in Fig. '7, the said control member will rotate ina clockwise direction. Assuming that the ignition switch S is operatedto close the. ignition circuit and that the control member ti is at zerosetting, the buzzer I02. under such conditions will be energized toproduce a sound signal. The energizing circuit for the buzzer leading.from the. positive terminal of the battery through the ignition switch'6, fuse F, conductor ifii, buzzer Hi2, conductor I52, through thecontacts of the micro-switch 92 which, in the condition illustrated, arein engagement, through conductor I53, conductor I53 and to ground Gwhich is electrically connected with the negative terminal of thebattery. Correspondingly, when the ignition circuit is closed, theelectro-magnet 39 of the magnetic clutch 3? is energized so that theclutch is in operative condition, the energizing circuit for themagnetic clutch 31 leading from the positive terminal of the battery,through ignition switch S, fuse F, conductors 51, i56, I57, contacts 97and t3, conductors i555, i559, lei, through the electro-magnet coil 39of the clutch 31', conductor 52 and to ground. G. Thus, rotation of thespeedometer cable evidencing travel of the car is transmitted to thegear train beginning with pinion I! and ending with spur gear 33,through magnetic clutch 37, shaft 38, to rotate the control member 4 Iin a clockwise direction.

As will be seen clearly by reference to Figs. 5 and 6, as the controlmember ii rotates in clockwise direction the pin 65'? carried on thepivoted member 62 is caused to engage the member 19. The pin 6'! thus,is urged by the spring M into engagement with the recess 8i. Continuedrota tion of the control member 4i eifects a rocking of the member l9clockwise to the position shown in Fig. 5, wherein the ball 87 of thedetent 88 engages the recess 34 on the member 82. Since the member 82 isfixed on the spur shaft IE, it will be apparent that it will rockcorrespondingly with the member i9. When the member 82 is moved to theposition illustrated in Fig. 5, the control member may continue torotate in a clockwise direction without further effect on the positionof member e2. When the member 82 is rocked clockwise, the me'nber 89engages the arm Q! to eifect engagement of the contacts of themicro-switch 92. This is the condition as was hereinabove de scribed inwhich the buzzer is energized to produce a sound signal. It will beapparent that the buzzer IE2 will continue to emit a sound signal solong as the ignition switch S is closed while the car is in operation.

It will also be apparent that so long as the member 32 is in theposition illustrated in Fig. 5, the contacts of micro-switch 92 willremain engaged and the energizing circuit through the buzzer I02 willremain closed, therefore, causing the same to emit a sound signal. Thus,so long as the; ignition switch is. closed the. buzzer will remainenergized. In order to stop the buzzing sound, either the ignitionswitch S must be opened or certain of the elements must be conditionedin a manner, as will be hereinafter described, so as to open the circuitto the buzzer. This can be accomplished by the insertion of one or morecoins of predetermined value into the accommodating slot, as will bepresently described.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2, 3 and i, a coin, for example of thedenomination of a quarter, is positioned in the recess between the coinreceiving elements IM and I06 and is laid on the platforms I 01. Whenthe operator pushes on the coin, as with his thumb, it will be seen thatthe members Hi1, which are resiliently urged toward each other, separateto permit the thumb to pass therebetween. Thus, insertion of the coin isfacilitated even in poor light or while the vehicle is in motion. Atthe. same time, the coin engages the rollers I I 6 on the pivotedmembers I 53 and the said members are urged apart a sufficient distanceto accommodate the coin, it being understood that the rollers IIS are inengagement with the periphery of the coin. At a point past the diametraldead center of the coin, the springs H8 in urging the members i I3inwardly will project the coin forcibly in the chute I2I. The coin inpassing through the chute engages the finger I27 and correspondinglyurges the blade I23 upwardly so that contacts 29 and I3I are engaged,thereby closing a circuit through the stepping relay 95, as will bepresently explained. The energizing circuit for the relay 95 leads fromthe positive pole of the battery, through conductor I63, fuse F,conductor I64, through the solenoid of relay 95, through conductors 365,E67, blade I32, contacts I3! and I29, blade I28, conductors 68, I69 tothe ground G. It will be apparent that the energization of the solenoidof relay is momentary, since the coin I35 is caused to drop through theopening I34 and fall into the coin receptacle I36. This momentaryenergization of the relay eifects a downward movement of the armature 94which engages the ratchet wheel 93 and moves the same a distance of onetooth, the movement of the said ratchet wheel being controlled by aroller detent ill. Rotation of the ratchet wheel S23 is transmittedthrough the shaft 44 to pinion 43 which is in engagement with spur gear42 and effects rotation of shaft 38 and with it the control member ii ina counterclockwise direction. If the position of the pin 6'! on thecontrol men ber 4| is such that it is substantially at the zero settingwith respect to the member 82, it will be seen by reference to Fig. 5,that the pin i3! will engage in the slot 8! of the member iii and rockthe same in a counterclockwise direction effectins a correspondingmovement of the member 82 so as to position the ball 8? of the detent 36in the recess 85. In this last mentioned position, the member 159 doesnot bear on the arm 9i and consequently the contacts 22 of themicro-switch are separated, thereby opening the circuit to the buzzerand arresting the energization of the same with a consequent cessationof the signal sound produced thereby. Similarly, the energization of thestepping relay 95 effects a break in the circuit between contacts 9'!and 98, thereby opening the energizing circuit to the magnetic clutch 39and breaking the driving connection between the shaft 34 and shaft 33leading to the control member AI. Movement of the ratchet wheel 93, ashereinabove described, effects through shaft M, spur gear 46,

pinion 41, shaft 48, change gears 49 and El, shaft 52, bevel gears 53and 54, a rotation of the shaft of registering counter 55 to set thesame at a predetermined value, for example 5, thus indicating to theoperator that payment has been made and that the automotive vehicle maytravel a distance of 5 miles before the buzzer will again be energized.

If the vehicle is or has been driven with the buzzer energized, which isan indication that no coins have been placed within the device, thecontrol member 4i continues to rotate in a clockwise direction and,assuming that the car has travelled a distance of 50 miles, under suchconditions, the control member 4| will have rotated in a clockwisedirection of a revolution, since in the ratio employed in the presentembodiment the control member rotates /2 0 of one revolution for everymiles of movement of the vehicle which corresponds to a distance ofmovement of one notch by the ratchet wheel 93. Thus, the operator inorder to return the control member 4| to a position where the buzzer isdeenergized is required to insert within the device, a sufiicient numberof coins which will so position the member 82 that the contacts of themicro-switch 92 are in separated relation. Thus an operator, if heoverruns the mileage permitted by the insertion of a particular numberof coins, is required to make up the deficiency before the buzzer willbe silenced.

The coin receiving mechanism is adapted for receiving coins of twodenominations, in this particular instance twenty-five and fifty centpieces. If it is desired to insert a fifty cent piece, the coin isplaced upon the platform members ID'I in the manner hereinabovedescribed, and when it is pushed forwardly and is engaged by the rollersI55 of arms H3 and projected, as above described, the coin, because itis larger than the width of the opening I34, will pass thereover andwill be projected toward the end of the chute I2I over the opening I31where it will fall on the guide plate I44 and engage the blade MI tocause the contacts I42 and I43 to complete a circuit through thestepping relay 95, the energizing circuit for the relay leading from thepositive terminal of th battery, through conductor I63, fuse F,conductor I64, through the relay 95, through conductors I66, I'II, bladeMI, through contacts I42 and I43, through blade I39, conductor H2 andconductor I69 to the ground G.

It will be observed however that the coin of the larger denomination inpassing through the chute i2i displaces the finger I2! which effectsengagement of the contacts I29 and I3I, in the manner hereinabovedescribed. Thus, an energizing circuit is established at that particulartime through the relay 95 to actuate the same so as to rotat the ratchetwheel 93 one step and, again in the final travel of the coin, thecontacts I42 and M3 are engaged so as to close an energizing circuitthrough the relay 95 so as to again effect rotation of the ratchet Wheel93 another tooth. Thus, it will be seen when a coin of smallerdenomination is used, the ratchet wheel 3 will move only a distance ofone tooth, while when a coin of double denomination is used the ratchetwheel will move a distance of two successive teeth, therebycorrespondingly moving the control member 5! and registering on thecounter that a certain number of miles are available for driving beforethe buzzer will again be energized to produce a sound signal.

It is to be understood that it is within the contemplation of myinvention to utilize the same to operate any audible or visible signalor even to control the ignition circuit. The latter however is believedimpractical for reasons of safety.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a rotatable controlmember, a train of gears operatively connected to the speedometer driveof an automotive vehicl for rotating said control member in onedirection, a magnetic clutch interposed between said train of gears andsaid control member, signal means, a stepping relay operativelyconnected with said control member to rotate the same in an oppositedirection, coin receiving means, a first switch disposed in the path oftravel of a coin within said coin receiving means and connected inelectrical circuit with said stepping relay, said first switch when acoin is inserted in said coin receiving means being adapted to close anelectrical circuit through said relay whereby to efiect actuation ofsaid relay to move said control means in an opposite direction anincremental distance, a second switch in electrical circuit with saidsignal means and operable by the movement of said control member tocontrol the energization of said signal means, and a third switchoperable by the movement of said relay and in electrical circuit withsaid magnetic clutch, said switch when said relay is actuated openingthe circuit through said clutch thereby deenergizing said clutch andbreaking the driving connection between said train of gears and saidcontrol member.

2. A device of the character described comprising a rotatable controlmember, a train of gears operatively connected to the speedometer driveof an automotive vehicle for rotating said control member in onedirection, a magnetic clutch interposed between said train of gears andsaid control member, signal means, a stepping relay operativelyconnected with said control member to rotate the same in an oppositedirection, coin receiving means, a first switch disposed in the path oftravel of a coin within said coin receiving means and connected inelectrical circuit with said stepping relay, said first switch when acoin is inserted in said coin receiving means being adapted to close anelectrical circuit through said relay whereby to effect actuation ofsaid relay to move said control means in an opposite direction anincremental distance, a second switch in electrical circuit with saidsignal means and operable by the movement of said control member tocontrol the energization of said signal means, a third switch operableby the movement of said relay and in electrical circuit with saidmagnetic clutch, said switch when said relay is actuated opening thecircuit through said clutch thereby deenergizing said clutch andbreaking the driving connection between said train of gears and saidcontrol member, and a registering counter operatively connected withsaid stepping relay and adapted to additively register incrementalmovements thereof.

3. A device of the character described comprising a rotatable controlmember, speed reducing means operatively connected to the speedometerdrive of an automotive vehicle for rotating said control member in onedirection, a magnetic clutch interposed between said speed reducingmeans and said control member, signal means, a stepping relayoperatively connected with said control member to rotate the same in anopposite direction, coin receiving means, a first switch disposed in thepath of travel of a coin within said coin receiving means and connectedin elec-. trical circuit with said stepping relay, said first switchwhen a coin is inserted in said coin re.- ceiving means being adapted toclose an electrical circuit through said relay whereby to effectactuation of said relay to move said control means in an oppositedirection an incremental distance, a second switch in electrical circuitwith said signal means and operable by the movement of said controlmember to control the energization of said signal means, and a thirdswitch operable by the movement of said relay and in electrical circuitwith said magnetic clutch, said switch when said relay is actuatedopening the circuit through said clutch thereby deenergizing said clutchand breaking the driving connection between said train of gears and saidcontrol member.

4. A device of the character described com,- prising a rotatable controlmember, a train of gears operatively connected to the speedometer driveof an automotive vehicle for rotating said control member in onedirection, a magnetic clutch interposed between said train of gears andsaid control member, signal means, a stepping relay operativelyconnected with saidcontrol member to rotate the same in an oppositedirection, a coin receiving means, a first switch disposed in the pathof travel of a coin within said coin receiving means and connected inelectrical circuit with said stepping relay, said first switch when acoin is inserted in said coin receiving means being adapted to close anelectrical circuit through said relay whereby to effect actuation ofsaid relay to move said control means in an opposite direction anincremental distance, a second switch in electrical circuit with saidsignal means and operable by the movement of said control member tocontrol the energization of said signal means, a third switch operableby the movement of said relay and in electrical circuit with saidmagnetic clutch, said switch when said relay is actuated opening thecircuit through said clutch thereby deenergizing said clutch andbreaking the driving connection between said train of gears and saidcontrol member, and means operatively connected with said control memberfor operating said second switch, said control member when rotated inone direction effecting closing of said second switch and effectingenergization of said signal means and when rotated in an oppositedirection efiecting opening of said second switch and deenergization ofsaid signal means.

5. A device of the character described comprising a rotatable controlmember, a train of gears operatively connected to the speedometer driveof an automotive vehicle for rotating said control member in onedirection, a magnetic clutch interposed between said train of gears andsaid control member, signal means, a stepping relay operativelyconnected with said control member to rotate the same in an oppositedirection, coin receiving means, a first switch disposed in the path oftravel of a coin within said coin receiving means and connected inelectrical circuit with said stepping relay, said first switch when acoin is inserted in said coin receiving means being adapted to close anelectrical circuit through said relay whereby to eiiect actuation ofsaid relay to move said control means in an opposite direction anincremental distance, a second switch in electrical circuit with saidsignal means and operable by the movement of said control member tocontrol the energization of said signal means, a third switch operableby the movement of said relay and in electrical circuit with saidmagnetic clutch, said switch when said relay is actuated opening thecircuit through said clutch thereby deenergizing said clutch andbreaking the driving connection between said train of gears and saidcontrol member, a registhing counter operatively connected with saidstepping relay and adapted to additively register incremental movementsthereof, and means operatively connected with said control member foroperating said second switch, said control member when rotated in onedirection eitecting closing of said second switch effecting energizationof said signal means and when rotatedin an opposite direction eiiectingopening of said second switch and deenergization ofsaid signal means.

6. A device of the character described comprise ing a rotatable controlmember, a train of gears operatively c nnected o h p d et r i e of anautomotive vehicle for rotating said control member in one direction, amagneticclutch inter= pos d between sai t i o a s an s m trol member,signal means, a stepping relay operatively connected with said controlmember to rotate the same in an opposite direction, coin receivingmeans, a pair of spaced switches dis: posed in the path of travel ofsaid coin, said switches when a coin is inserted in said coin re.-ceiving means being adapted to successively close in sequence anelectrical circuit through said relay whereby to effect two successiveactuations of said relay to move said control member in an oppositedirection two increments of rotation, at third switch in electricalcircuit with said signal means and operable by the movement of saidcontrol member to control the energization of said i n ans nd a our h swc e ab cv by the movement of said relay and in electrical circuit withsaid magnetic clutch, said switch when said relay is actuated openingthe circuit through said clutch thereby deenergizing said clutch andbreaking the driving connection between said train of gears and saidcontrol member.

'7. A device of the character described comprising a rotatable controlmember, a train of gears operatively connected to the speedometer driveof an automotive vehicle for rotating said control member in onedirection, a magnetic clutch interposed between said train of gears andsaid control member, signal means, a stepping relay operativelyconnected with said control member to rotate the same in an oppositedirection, coin receiving means, a pair of spaced switches disposed inthe path of travel of said coin, said switches when a coin is insertedin said coin receiving means being adapted to suecessively close insequence an electrical circuit through said relay whereby to effect twosuccessive actuations of said relay to move said control member in anopposite direction two increments of rotation, a third switch inelectrical circuit with said signal means and operable by the movementof said control member to control the energization of said signal means,a fourth switch operable by the movement of said relay and in electricalcircuit with said magnetic clutch, said switch when said relay isactuated opening the circuit through said clutch thereby deenergizingsaid clutch and breaking the driving connection between said train ofgears and said control member, and a registering counter operativelyconnected with said stepping relay and ii adapted to additively registerincremental movements thereof.

8. A device of the character described comprising a rotatable controlmember, speed reducing means operatively connected to the speedometerdrive of an automotive vehicle for rotating said control member in onedirection, a magnetic clutch interposed between said speed reducingmeans and said control member, signal means, a stepping relayoperatively connected with said control member to rotate the same in anopposite direction, a coin chute, means associated with said chute toproject a coin through said chute, a first switch disposed in the pathof travel of a coin through said chute and connected in electricalcircuit with said stepping relay, said first switch when a coin isinserted in said chute being adapted to close an electrical circuitthrough said relay whereby to effect actuation of said relay to movesaid control means in an opposite direction an incremental distance, asecond switch in electrical circuit with said signal means and operableby the movement of said control member to control the energization ofsaid signal means and a third switch operable by the movement of saidrelay and in electrical circuit with said magnetic clutch, said switchwhen said relay is actuated opening the circuit through said clutchthereby deenergizing said clutch and breaking the driving connectionbetween said speed reducing means and said control member.

9. A device of the character described comprising a rotatable controlmember, a train of gears operatively connected to the speedometer driveof an automobile vehicle for rotating said control member in onedirection, a magnetic clutch interposed between said train of gears and12 said control member, signal means, a stepping relay operativelyconnected with said control member to rotate the same in an oppositedirection, a coin chute, means associated with said chute to project acoin through said chute, a pair of spaced switches disposed in the pathof travel of said coin, said switches when a coin is inserted in saidcoin chute being adapted to successively close in sequence an electricalcircuit through said relay whereby to effect two successive actuationsof said relay to move said control member in an opposite direction twoincrements of rotation, a third switch in electrical circuit with saidsignal means and operable by the movement of said control member tocontrol the energization of said signal means and a fourth switchoperable by the movement of said relay and in electrical circuit withsaid magnetic clutch, said switch when said relay is actuated openingthe circuit through said clutch thereby deenergizing said clutch andbreaking the driving connection between said train of gears and saidcontrol member.

EMIL R. CAPPELLE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,056,147 Browne Mar. 18, 1913 1,069,558 Majors Aug. 5, 19131,414,910 Watson May 2, 1922 2,106,04 Stark Jan. 18, 1938 2,358,747Testor Sept. 19, 1944 2,384,585 Alexander Sept. 11, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 403,366 Great Britain Dec. 11, 1933

